Saturday, May 22, 2010
Passion for Trucks
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Happy Mothers Day
We surprised the Hunky Hubby's Mum with lunch at Sequoia 88. Along for the meal was Hunky Hubby's eldest sister and afterwards we caught up with his baby sister and her baby Alex. He's a real bubbly younster and even though he had just woken from an afternoon nap, he still had his cheeky smile for his Nana. The meal was nice but I don't think it was the best choice of venue. The room isn't acousticly designed to absorb noise and it was really noisey. It didn't help that one wee youngster screamed the whole time we were there until finally the staff suggested his Mum take him out, thank goodness. Hunky Hubby's Mum confessed she had never been taken out to lunch for Mothers Day so we were really blessed that we had that honour.
The highlight of my day as a mother was a txt from Taiza " Happy Mothers Day Mum, love you lots, thankyou for being my Mum. Lots of love, Taiza xoxo"
His previous owner, Serena in Dunedin, sent the txt on behalf of our cute little bundle and I was just blown away. Serena and I both raised our boys on our own, I am past the worst of it now but she is still struggling to understand an aggressive, pubescent male and hasn't had the best time of it. It blessed me to bits that in the middle of her own troubles she had the time and inclination to think of me and Taiza on Mothers Day. Thank you Serena, you have no idea how much your sweet gesture touched my heart.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Harvest Time
The walnuts are also dropping for collection and are now piling up on the terrace to join the pumpkins for storage. The terrace was a treasure in the summer as the sun was high enough in the sky that it always provided a shady spot for a cuppa. Just the opposite for the cooler months but that in itself is a bonus as I now have somewhere for the fruits of my labour, out of the weather but also far enough away from the rodents that sneak around in the garage. Well at least the larger ones. I have found a couple of tiny wee mice visiting Lacie (rabbit) on a regular basis and then clinging to the wall behind her hutch trying to hide from me, which obviously failed. Although there is rat bait in abundance in the shed, I haven't had the heart to lay it for the tiny nose twitching visitors. I know, I know! They are disease carrying pests but they are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute!! Soon ok, I will lay the bait soon!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
The Three Amigos new pond
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Taiza to the vet
So this morning we were terribly anxious, but we prayed, Taiza is young and his heart is strong. I perched him on my computer desk and took photos, just in case.
A 'RatBag' in Pink
Monday, May 3, 2010
Pineapple and Cucumber Relish
Well it wasn't intended to be my first entry on my first blog site but you have to run with what's going on in a country life and as I have just finished making a batch of Pineapple and Cucumber Relish, I thought it fitting to share this recipe. It's quick and easy to make and is so devine on crackers with cheese that you will want to go back for more so here it is:
1 x 440 gm tin crushed pineapple (or as close to in size)
2 green or 4 apple cucumbers, peeled and chopped
3 medium onions, peeled and chopped small
1 tablespoon common sea salt
225 gms sugarjuice of one lemon (optional)
360 ml cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
Mix all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to the boil, turn down to just more than a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile heat glass jars (if bottling into plastic wait until cold)in a warm low oven or you could put them into hot water but make sure they are completely dry before bottling the relish. This will make a batch that will fill 3 x 100 gms coffee jars.
Thicken relish with 1 1/2 tablespoons cornflour, 1 teaspoon tumeric and 1/2 teaspoon curry powder mixed with enough vinegar to make it flow. Add to relish while still simmering, thicken and then turn off to cool.
Once cool enough to handle, remove jars from oven and bottle. Leave unsealed until completely cold.
So there it is. Taiza our wee dog, Shih-Tzu/Lhasa Apso cross, will give anything a try once so I'm sure you can too. What have you got to lose??